Please provide the following details on the origin of this report.
South Africa
Contracting Party:
National Focal Point
Full name of the institution:
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Name and title of contact officer:
Ms Maria Mbengashe Chief Director: Biodiversity
and Heritage
Mailing address:
Private Bag X 447
Pretoria, Rep of South Africa
09 27 12 3103707
Telephone:
09 27 12 3226287
Fax:
mmbengashe@ozone.pwv.gov.za
E-mail:
Contact officer for national report (if different)
Name and title of contact officer:
Ms Wilma Lutsch Deputy Director: Biodiversity
Planning
Mailing address:
Private Bag X447
Pretoria, Rep of South Africa
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
09 27 12 3103694
09 27 12 3226287
wlutsch@ozone.pwv.gov.za
Submission
Signature of officer responsible for submitting
national report:
Date of submission:
Please provide summary information on the process by which this report has been
prepared, including information on the types of stakeholders who have been actively
involved in its preparation and on material which was used as a basis for the report.
A wide range of other stakeholders was consulted by the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism, including the following:
Nine provincial authorities of South Africa dealing with the environment
Botanical Society of South Africa
Agricultural Research Council (Plant Protection Research Institute)
South African Environmental Observatory Network (SAEON) of the National Research
Foundation Mountain Club
Ukuvuka Campaign
Working for Water
National Botanical Institute
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Mountain Ecosystems
1. What is the relative priority your country accords to the conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity in mountain ecosystems?
a) High
X
b) Medium
c) Low
2. How does your country assess the resources available for conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity in mountain ecosystems, both domestic and international?
a) Good
b) Adequate
X
c) Limiting
d) Severely limiting
3. Has your country requested financial assistance from GEF for funding the activities for conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity in mountain ecosystems?
a) no
b) yes, please provide details
X (see below)
Assessment, Identification and Monitoring
4. Has your country undertaken any assessment of direct and underlying causes of degradation and loss
of biological diversity of mountain ecosystems?
a) no (please specify the reasons)
b) yes, please specify major threats and their relative
importance, as well as gaps
c) If yes, please specify the measures your country has
taken to control the causes of loss of mountain
biodiversity
X (see below)
X (see below)
5. Has your country identified taxonomic needs for conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity of mountain ecosystems?
a) no, (please specify the reasons)
b) yes, please specify
X (see below)
6. Has your country made any assessment of the vulnerability or fragility of the mountains in your
country?
a) no, please specify the reasons
b) yes, please specify the results and observed impacts
on mountain biodiversity
X (see below)
7. Has your country made any assessment important for conservation of biological diversity of mountain
ecosystems at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels? (You may wish to use the Annex I of the
Convention for categories of biodiversity important for conservation)
a) no, please specify the reasons
b) yes, some assessments or monitoring undertaken
(please specify)
c) yes, comprehensive assessments or monitoring
programmes undertaken (please specify where results
can be found, and opportunities and obstacles, if any)
X (see below)
Regulatory and Information System and Action Plan
8. Has your country developed regulations, policies and programs for conservation and sustainable use
of biological diversity in mountain ecosystems?
a) no
b) yes, please specify sectors
X (see below)
9. Has your country applied the ecosystem approach (adopted at COP 5) in the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity in mountain ecosystems?
a) no
b) yes, please provide some cases or examples
X - No
X - There has been no coherent application of the
ecosystem approach, although the conservation
authorities have made progress in consolidating
mountain catchment areas, state forests and other
protected areas into large blocks managed by
single agencies, which has had the effect of
management being undertaken at the
landscape/ecosystem level.
10. Does your national biodiversity strategy and action plan cover mountain biological diversity?
a) no, please specify why
X- No, the national biodiversity strategy and
action plan is not in existence yet and is currently
being initiated by the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
b) yes, please give some information on the
strategy and plan, in particular on mountain
biodiversity
11. Has your country disseminated the relevant information concerning management practices, plans
and programmes for conservation and sustainable use of components of biological diversity in mountain
ecosystems?
a) no
X - Yes. Provincial Authorities who are managing
b) yes, please provide details where
State Forests ( Mountain Catchment areas ) and the
information can be retrieved concerning
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry’s (DWAF)
management practices, plans and programmes
regional offices have received the relevant
information concerning management practices,
plans and programmes from DWAF.
Private landowners are also made aware of the
Mountain Management Guidelines mentioned above.
Cooperation
12. Has your country undertaken any collaboration with other Parties for conservation and sustainable
use of biological diversity in mountain ecosystems at the regional level or within a range of mountains?
a) no
b) yes, please specify the objectives of this
collaboration and achievements
X (see below)
13. Has your country signed or ratified any regional or international treaty concerning mountains?
a) no
No
b) yes, please specify which treaty and provide
as much as possible a report on the progress in
the implementation of the treaties, including
any major constraints in the implementation of
the treaties
Relevant thematic areas and cross-cutting issues
14. Has your country taken account of mountain ecosystems while implementing thematic programmes
of work on agricultural; inland waters; forest; and dry and sub-humid lands biological diversity?
a) no
b) yes - but in only one or two thematic
programmes of work
c) yes, included in all programmes of work
d) if yes, please specify details
X – Yes
X (see below)
15. Has your country taken any measures to ensure that the tourism in mountains is sustainable?
a) no , please specify why
b) yes, but in early stages of development
(please specify the reasons)
c) in advanced stages of development (please
specify the reasons)
d) relatively comprehensive measures being
implemented (please specify the reasons)
X - Partly through the EIA process and specific
regulations if an area is declared a Protected
Natural Environment.
X - In the North West province the mountain areas
are managed in terms of legislation.
X (see below)
16. Has your country taken any measures to protect the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices
of indigenous and local communities for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in
mountain ecosystems?
a) no
b) not relevant
c) yes, but in early stages of policy or
programme development
X - Yes. Examples include the Mnweni Donga
erosion reclamation project-co- ordinated by the
Mnweni community trust, community formed
partnership e.g. the Workingfor Water Programme,
and the Zululand Trail Project.
d) yes, in advanced stages of development
e) some programmes being implemented
f) comprehensive programmes being
implemented
17. Has your country developed any programmes for the protection of natural and cultural heritages in
the mountains?
a) no
b) yes, please provide some information in the
X (see below)
programmes
18. Has your country established protected areas in mountains?
a) no
b) yes, please specify the percentage of
mountains under protected areas out of total
mountain areas in your country
X (see below)
19. Has your country undertaken any activities to celebrate the International Year of Mountains and Ecotourism?
a) no
X - Yes. The Mountain Club of South Africa has
prepared a State of the Nations report and made a
presentation to the biodiversity group of MINMEC
to raise awareness on the IYM.
b) yes, please specify
Case-studies
Please provide case-studies made by your country in conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity in mountain ecosystems.
Examples of case studies in conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in mountain
ecosystems include:
The Riviersonderend Private Mountain Farm
A proposal has been developed for the Magaliesberg mountain but no funding has yet been secured.
The most extensive literature on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in mountain
ecosystems has been the work conducted in the C.A.P.E and for the preparation of the MalotiDrakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area Project. The full set of reports for
C.A.P.E are obtainable from www.capeaction.org.za and the Maloti Drakensberg from
www.kznwildlife.com.
Further comments
Although many stakeholders were consulted, the response on the information requested in the national
report was poor. The report might not be a true reflection of all the activities that are being undertaken
in the conservation and sustainable use of mountain ecosystems.
----Re 3 b)
Yes. There are two major projects where assistance from GEF has been sought and obtained. Firstly,
the Cape Peninsula Biodiversity Conservation Project has considered conservation of biodiversity
throughout the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), including the Cape fold mountains in the winter rainfall
region. GEF provided $12.5 million for the establishment of the Cape Peninsula National Park,
protecting the Cape Peninsula mountain chain, for the Table Mountain Fund, a fund dedicated to the
conservation of biodiversity in the CFR and for the preparation of the Cape Action Plan for the
Environment (C.A.P.E) C.A.P.E prioritised a number of mega-reserves including the Cederberg and the
Baviaanskloof mountains, as well as a conservation corridor through the Gouritz region. Some funds
have been allocated from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund for work in these mega-reserves.
Secondly, the GEF has awarded a grant of $16 million for the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier
Conservation and Development Area Project, to be implemented by Lesotho and South Africa jointly.
This covers the extensive mountain ecoregions between the two countries.
The North West Province is currently discussing funding possibilities with Finland for special planning
purposes.
Re 4 b)
No coherent assessment of direct and underlying causes of degradation and loss of biodiversity of
mountain ecosystems has been undertaken. However, in various studies the major threats have been
identified, inter alia:
Easy Access Many largely unspoilt public mountain reserves are being developed to provide funds for
management which has a negative impact on wilderness areas.
Economics
Some private landowners are exploiting the areas
to gain short term benefits to survive.
Politics
Some commercial farmers are apprehensive about their future in South Africa. Insecurity of title then
leads to exploitation of land in the short term, which could have an impact on the mountains
Lack of knowledge / education on the importance of these areas.
Climate change If carbon dioxide levels double by 2050 , some of the Cape fynbos biome will
disappear where it will be unable to adapt.
Other threats include inappropriate agricultural practices, alien plant infestations, inappropriate tourism
development, plantation forestry, and extensive and unsustainable use of rangeland.
In addition fragmented and unco-ordinated planning and development control have been root causes,
as has poverty in marginal rural areas.
Re 4 c)
There are legislation and policies and agreements that deal with the mountain management in South
Afirca, such as:
Mountain Catchment Areas Act ( Act 63 of 1970)
National Forest Act (Act 84 of 1998)
National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998)
National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998)
National Environmental Management Act (Act 107
of 1998) (NEMA)
Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989)
The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983)
Since 1971 eleven wilderness areas have been designated in terms of the Forest Act.
There are also three protected natural environments in mountain ecosystems, namely Cape Peninsula,
Magaliesberg and Lourens river.
World heritage sites are the Ukhahlamba – Drakensberg Park.
The C.A.P.E project recommended three mega conservation areas ( 400 000 - 600 000 ha ) be
established in the Cederberg, Little Karoo and Baviaanskloof.
Three biosphere reserves have been registered
with UNESCO and there is a move to
establish conservancies with private owners.
In addition, there has been a long-standing process of ensuring that fragile mountain ecosystems are
included in mountain catchment management areas, involving both state, private and communal lands.
Mountains in South Africa are largely included in state forest protected areas, and are therefore
relatively well conserved.
The Working for Water programme has been an innovative programme to remove alien plants, protect
biodiversity and ensure sustainable employment, and it has targeted many mountain catchment areas
with positive impacts for biodiversity.
Re 5 b)
Yes. An application for eight representative constellation sites is currently being prepared
for the Cape Floral Kingdom ( Fynbos ) and
the Cape fold mountains
The GEF supported C.A.P.E and Maloti-Drakensberg programmes have identified gaps in knowledge and
have allocated resources to improving the understanding of the components of biodiversity in these
project areas.
Re 6 b)
Yes The impact of fire on species in terms of
frequency and /or fire season assesses the vulnerability or fragility of the mountains.
Forest ecotones ( margins) have been negatively affected by controlled burning.
A project is proposed for the Magaliesberg (North West Province), however, it is in its infant stages and
no funding yet has come forth.
Re 7 b)
Yes. The brotherton grassland burning trails at
Cathedral Peak are maintained.
Some analyses were done, such as the Berliner et
al ( 1993) report on the development of a grassland evaluation and management system.
These results can be integrated into a fire management programme.
Some information is also available through project related EIA’s, but not holistically.
Some assessments have also been undertaken in the Cape Floristic region, the Succulent Karoo region
and the Maloti-Drakensberg.
Most assessments have been undertaken at the landscape and ecosystem level, some at the species
level, but few at the genetic level.
Re 8 b)
Yes. Apart from the legislation mentioned above, Mountain Management Guidelines for private
landowners exist, as follows:
Fire management
Invasive alien plants
Compatible land-use in mountains
Footpaths construction and maintenance
Eco-friendly developments
Zoning of mountainous terrain
In the North West province conservation ordinances exist.
Regulations have also been developed for the Magaliesberg Protected Natural Environment.
There have been other attempts to develop regulations for a Special Case Area Plan for the
Drakensberg mountains in Kwa-Zulu Natal and for the protected natural environments of the
Magaliesberg and the Cape Peninsula.
There is a mountain zoning policy that has been proposed, but currently no formal policy
that is specifically aimed at mountain conservation exists.
Re 12 b)
Yes. Management Guidelines were given to provincial authorities after the assessment of management
of state forests in 2000 to adhere to the principles of sustainable forest management as set out in the
National Forest Act (Section 3 (3 ) (Guidelines in Drawing up of Management plans)).
One of the North West Province’s projects on the biodiversity of the Magaliesberg requires collaboration
with Finland
There has been extensive cooperation with the government of Lesotho concerning the shared mountain
ecosystem of the Maloti-Drakensberg. The two countries have signed a bilateral memorandum of
understanding committing them to the cooperative protection and development of these mountains.
Re 14 d)
Mountain conservation strategies are included in implementing the following:
Wilderness Areas, National Parks, Provincial Reserves, Indigenous Forests, Protected Natural
Environments, World Heritage Sites, Mega Reserves, Transfrontier Conservation Areas, Biosphere
Reserves, Natural Heritage Sites, Conservancies, Private Reserves, Natural Heritage programme
Re 15 d)
This would not specifically apply to mountains, but on the whole, the development of tourism is wellregulated in South Africa, and particularly in mountain regions, there has been excellent attention paid
to ensuring that the environmental impacts of development are critically assessed and measures taken
to ensure that negative impacts are mitigated.
South Africa , through the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has developed guidelines
for responsible tourism.
Re 17 b)
Yes. The Natural Heritage Programme which is currently being revisited.
The Ukahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a
mixed site on the basis of the outstanding rock art and its natural significance.
A management plan was developed as part of an application to have the site declared a World Heritage
Site.
The Maloti-Drakensberg mountains has a programme for the protection and co-management of cultural
and natural resources. The area has been listed as a mixed world heritage site (natural and cultural
property).
Re 18 b)
Yes. The Magaliesberg was declared a Protected Natural Environment.
The area of mountain catchments on state land is 1.7 million hectares, about 15% of the total area of
major catchments. 85 % of mountain catchments, about 9.7 million hectares, is privately owned. Of the
privately owned areas, 5.5% are proclaimed catchment areas. 79.5% is undeclared (Rabie and others ,
1992 )